My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her

cake is so

a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut

candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to

to be a little girl

sing the ‘Happy

close her eyes and

blow

to Julian that there was

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

girl who wasn’t even at table

and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After

thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in

courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of

I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull and

bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm

she turned and headed toward

apartment and

slam, the door was propped open by a large hand from

at her, his darkened face made

out on

house and shut

you’ve been getting along

steps back.

pulled

you wouldn’t

step he approached her, forcing her

had no idea

pulled, she staggered after